supercentex
11-25-2005, 08:23 AM
Bulldawgs to meet Garland in regional semifinals
By Monty Campbell
Killeen Daily Herald
Amid the carnival-like atmosphere and the anticipation of a regional semifinal playoff game will be two football teams in unfamiliar territory in Waco tonight.
The Garland Owls (10-2) have reached the third round for the first time since 1999, when the Owls won the 5A Division II state championship. The Copperas Cove Bulldawgs (12-0) are making their first visit to the regional semifinals since 1998. That year, the Dawgs lost to Cedric Benson and the Midland Lee Rebels.
The Owls are coming off a stunning 12-7 victory over Dallas Carter at Texas Stadium on Saturday that has their head coach excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
"We're excited to have the opportunity to be practicing on and playing after Thanksgiving this year," Garland head coach Jeff Jordan said. "We are thrilled at getting the chance to extend the season a little longer."
Last week, the Owls never allowed Dallas Carter to get its offense fully functioning. They stopped the potent Carter rushing attack dead in its tracks, allowing only 138 yards, less than half of Carter's season average.
Garland's defensive line, led by Brandon Antwine, constantly caused chaos in the Carter backfield. Antwine is being heavily recruited by the University of Southern California and Florida State University and Bulldawgs head coach Jack Welch knows that the big man can cause problems.
"Their defense is fast and big and their big No. 47 (Antwine) may be the best that we have seen in a while," Welch said. "He is one of the best defensive linemen in Texas."
Garland's defensive backfield is solid as well, led by the sure tackling of cornerback John Murphy (78 tackles) and free safety Devin McDowell (91 tackles).
The offense, which is similar to Cove in that it runs the ball a lot, is led by quarterback Greg Hunter (70-137-4, 871 yards, 13 TDs), who will be handing the ball off to Dante Sloan (138 rushes, 908 yards, 11 TDs) and Vos Williams (87 carries, 553 yards, 2 TDs) in the one-back set.
"This team is a ground and field control ball team," Welch said. "They are a powerful football team with a powerful back that is hard to stop."
When they Owls do go to the air, Hunter's favorite targets are Malcolm Williams (17 receptions, 282 yards, 4 TDs) and David Little (10 receptions, 142 yards, 3 TDs).
"Defensively, we must put pressure on their quarterback and running backs," Welch said. "This will be the toughest contest all season, much like Converse Judson."
Copperas Cove remembers the Converse Judson game very well, as quarterback Brent Garner connected with Darrell Armstead from 18-yards out to give the Bulldawgs a last minute 20-19 victory.
Not only do the Bulldawgs remember Converse Judson very well, but they also remember Waco ISD Stadium as well. The last game Cove played at Waco ISD Stadium was the 29-21 thrilling triple-overtime victory over the Waco Lions.
Garner (64-120-6, 931 yards, 12 TDs) is very similar to Hunter and has the same quality back in the backfield in Donald Buckram. Buckram (182 carries, 1,280 yards, 23 TDs) will be the player that the Owls will be attempting to contain and hold down in the contest.
"We are concerned about the speed of their team, but it's hard to tell how fast they really are on videotape," Jordan said. "We will just have to go out and play the game."
Garner's favorite targets this season through the air have been Rashad Hawk (23 receptions, 401 yards, 5 TDs) and Armstead (16 receptions, 251 yards, 5 TDs) .
The Bulldawgs defense will be led by defensive lineman James Porter, linebacker Sterling Lewis and safety Tim Atchison.
Atchison came up big in the Leander game with an interception that helped open up a lead that the Dawgs would not relinquish.
Both teams are geared up for a clash that should be one for the ages and as Jeff Jordan would admit should be a tough game for each club.
"They are a good football team in every aspect of the game," Jordan said. "They are the best-coached team that we have played this year."
By Monty Campbell
Killeen Daily Herald
Amid the carnival-like atmosphere and the anticipation of a regional semifinal playoff game will be two football teams in unfamiliar territory in Waco tonight.
The Garland Owls (10-2) have reached the third round for the first time since 1999, when the Owls won the 5A Division II state championship. The Copperas Cove Bulldawgs (12-0) are making their first visit to the regional semifinals since 1998. That year, the Dawgs lost to Cedric Benson and the Midland Lee Rebels.
The Owls are coming off a stunning 12-7 victory over Dallas Carter at Texas Stadium on Saturday that has their head coach excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
"We're excited to have the opportunity to be practicing on and playing after Thanksgiving this year," Garland head coach Jeff Jordan said. "We are thrilled at getting the chance to extend the season a little longer."
Last week, the Owls never allowed Dallas Carter to get its offense fully functioning. They stopped the potent Carter rushing attack dead in its tracks, allowing only 138 yards, less than half of Carter's season average.
Garland's defensive line, led by Brandon Antwine, constantly caused chaos in the Carter backfield. Antwine is being heavily recruited by the University of Southern California and Florida State University and Bulldawgs head coach Jack Welch knows that the big man can cause problems.
"Their defense is fast and big and their big No. 47 (Antwine) may be the best that we have seen in a while," Welch said. "He is one of the best defensive linemen in Texas."
Garland's defensive backfield is solid as well, led by the sure tackling of cornerback John Murphy (78 tackles) and free safety Devin McDowell (91 tackles).
The offense, which is similar to Cove in that it runs the ball a lot, is led by quarterback Greg Hunter (70-137-4, 871 yards, 13 TDs), who will be handing the ball off to Dante Sloan (138 rushes, 908 yards, 11 TDs) and Vos Williams (87 carries, 553 yards, 2 TDs) in the one-back set.
"This team is a ground and field control ball team," Welch said. "They are a powerful football team with a powerful back that is hard to stop."
When they Owls do go to the air, Hunter's favorite targets are Malcolm Williams (17 receptions, 282 yards, 4 TDs) and David Little (10 receptions, 142 yards, 3 TDs).
"Defensively, we must put pressure on their quarterback and running backs," Welch said. "This will be the toughest contest all season, much like Converse Judson."
Copperas Cove remembers the Converse Judson game very well, as quarterback Brent Garner connected with Darrell Armstead from 18-yards out to give the Bulldawgs a last minute 20-19 victory.
Not only do the Bulldawgs remember Converse Judson very well, but they also remember Waco ISD Stadium as well. The last game Cove played at Waco ISD Stadium was the 29-21 thrilling triple-overtime victory over the Waco Lions.
Garner (64-120-6, 931 yards, 12 TDs) is very similar to Hunter and has the same quality back in the backfield in Donald Buckram. Buckram (182 carries, 1,280 yards, 23 TDs) will be the player that the Owls will be attempting to contain and hold down in the contest.
"We are concerned about the speed of their team, but it's hard to tell how fast they really are on videotape," Jordan said. "We will just have to go out and play the game."
Garner's favorite targets this season through the air have been Rashad Hawk (23 receptions, 401 yards, 5 TDs) and Armstead (16 receptions, 251 yards, 5 TDs) .
The Bulldawgs defense will be led by defensive lineman James Porter, linebacker Sterling Lewis and safety Tim Atchison.
Atchison came up big in the Leander game with an interception that helped open up a lead that the Dawgs would not relinquish.
Both teams are geared up for a clash that should be one for the ages and as Jeff Jordan would admit should be a tough game for each club.
"They are a good football team in every aspect of the game," Jordan said. "They are the best-coached team that we have played this year."